Human Enteric Viruses Isolated from Influents of Sewage Treatment Plants in S. Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

In order to isolate human enteric viruses from sewage, a study has been undertaken in Brazil. From 55 sewage samples, 433 virus strains have been isolated. These comprised 70.7% poliovirus, 19.2% echovirus and 7.6% coxsackievirus, 2.5% remained untyped. Five different methods were used for virus recovery: adsorption to and elution from membrane filters; acidic precipitation; concentration through membrane filters, with reconcentration by organic flocculation; concentration on aluminum hydroxide; aluminum sulfate precipitation. The sewage sample were plaqued in bottle cultures BS-C-1 cell line. This cell line allowed a recovery of 22 different serotypes of enteroviruses: the three poliovirus types, 14 types of echoviruses, four types of coxsackie B virus and one type of coxsackie A virus.